Roughin it at Green Falls

We were finally able to start up our yearly tradition of camping again now that I am no longer pregnant and Marli is no longer a newborn. It was still brave of us to bring our 3 kids, one being only 1 years old, out in the middle of the woods, with nothing but a tent. Oh, ok, I'm being a bit dramatic, but we were definitely roughing it with tent camping and no running water......although we had a water pump nearby that squeaked day and night with each campers use. All these sites and sounds of nature and camping, brought back so many great memories of my childhood. As I've mentioned in previous posts, this is the same tradition and campground that my family camped at yearly when I was a child.

Our favorite site...and coincidentally the only one open that weekend....my lucky soccer and softball number and Pele's number (for all my soccer enthusiasts out there. lol) We lovingly call it Skull Rock...you'll soon see why.

Some might think this is creepy, but I found it fascinating that this was carved into the the rock ledge in our campsite.

Here's the rock ledge that my kids just love to climb and obviously pose on for the camera. Simple things.

We went fishing on shore and by canoe many times....the girls absolutely loved it!

We hiked around the lake....over rocks and under branches, up hills and down hills, down riverbeds and over bridges.....for about 3 miles. It was my favorite part of the trip (besides cooking over the fire, which I'll get to later).

My mom stayed overnight 2 nights and went hiking with us.

I beautified my grubbiness with a simple daisy picked from the trails edge.

We stopped for a quick water break near a brook and my husband captured this picture...one of my favs.

And this one...

As you all know by now, cooking is one thing I love to do....even cooking over the campfire. It's challenging figuring out how to do so and have variety. If the girls had their way, it would look alot like this....

I didn't get alot of photos of our meals because we cooked and ate before realizing, "Oh, no, I should've taken a picture of that!". This was breakfast one morning......

Fire-grilled apple chicken sausage breakfast sandwiches.

These little guys were camping lifesavers. (and no, I didn't get paid to say that. lol)

The many findings of Miss Lily...

She was prepared with "specimin containers" so that she could observe some of her findings.

Frog #1

Frog #2 (and a big one at that)

We had a great time with no TVs and no video games. We played cardgames by campfire and candlelight. It was good ol'fashioned fun.

All this good ol'fashioned fun really pooped us all out...

Although we had a good time (and I had a great 31st Birthday celebration while there), we are happy to be home and in our own beds and back to civilization. Can't wait to go back next summer!

Hope you're having a great summer! What have you been up to?

Kirsten

Recent Purchases

There's only one thing I love just as much as I love going to the beach...and that is going shopping! Over the past few weeks I have shopped til I dropped...literally...(I acutally had to rush my mom to the ER because I exhausted her so much...amongst other things...sorry Ma). I thought I'd share some of my fabulous finds...and also some cool gifts I've received.

Old Navy Dress

$39.99

Amy's Flea Market Finds. My mother-in-law and I share a love of old, rustic antiques. On one of her trips up to Vermont this summer, she took time to scavenge local flea markets and tag sales, to pick up some neat items she knew I'd love....and who could not love them...
Blue tinted mason jars

And a clamming basket that I am using as a magazine holder

It's become somewhat of a weekly outing for my children and I to walk down to our local bookstore, Book Barn and devulge ourselves into magical fantasies and faraway places...you know, Seasme Street, Steve and Blue's house, a glimpse into a bathroom where a toddler tells us the steps of using the potty over and over again. And of course, I always take a second to look for myself...and low and behold, I found my summer read...

A true classic that never gets old.

$2

And a small anniversary gift for Chris, although it hasn't moved off the bookshelf since the day I bought it. Hmmm.

$5.99

Fedora, from where else, but Grace

 $28

Never been a true fan of coffee until about two weeks ago. One mug turned into two...and well, the rest is history. I thought I'd give the Chai Latte K cups a try and I'm hooked.

$11.99 Target

Chris and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary on July 15. Because he's a true romantic at heart (he'd kill me if he read this), he stuck with tradition and got me something considered to be silverware. It's a cute little pill box that I keep my rings in at night. love love love.

Tiffanys- and I'm not going to look up the price...you can lol.

Still on my wish list...the perfect dough bowl for my dining room table...
Like this one from Miss Mustard Seed's blog

And a framed chalk board to display the dinner menu...

What have you purchased recently? I'd love to hear....

A Simple, Sweet, Cold, Treat for a Hot Summer's Night!

My children love ice cream sandwiches, and on a hot summer's night there is nothing better than a yummy cold treat like this!

They are very simple to make. First, start out by making your favorite Chocolate Chip cookie.

Next, top the inside with a scoop of ice cream.

Finally, squish another cookie on top, and Voila! A simple, yummy, treat. Suitable for a hot summer's night...

Enjoy!

Sarah